Southwest Technology Center is proud to announce Misty R. Bates, LPN, as the keynote speaker for the Practical Nursing Graduation Ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Misty Bates proudly serves as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Jackson County Memorial Hospital and is a lifelong resident of Altus, Oklahoma. Born and raised in the community she now serves, Bates exemplifies compassion, resilience, and dedication to patient care.
She is married to her greatest supporter, Taras Bates, whose encouragement has remained constant throughout her healthcare journey. Together, they are the parents of eight children—seven daughters and one son. Four of their children are now grown and pursuing their own careers and dreams, a source of immense pride for their family.
Bates graduated from Altus High School in 2000 and began college in 2003 with plans to become a teacher. In 2015, she discovered her true calling when she enrolled at Southwest Technology Center, earning her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. She soon began working in the Emergency Department as a Physician Scribe, a role that further ignited her passion for healthcare and patient advocacy.
In 2018, Bates stepped away from the workforce to care for her youngest daughter, Katelynn, who faced significant medical challenges early in life. Once Katelynn’s medical needs could safely be managed by others, Bates returned to Jackson County Memorial Hospital in 2021 as a CNA on the Orthopedic/Medical-Surgical floor. Encouraged by mentors Candice McPherson and Lori Thompson, she applied to the Licensed Practical Nursing program and, through years of perseverance and sacrifice, graduated as an LPN in 2023.
Bates is currently attending Western Oklahoma State College and is just months away from completing her Registered Nursing degree, along with a degree in Liberal Arts. Since becoming an LPN, she has been nominated five times for the DAISY Award and has earned recognition as a DAISY Honoree.
Her inspiration for nursing began in childhood while witnessing her father’s battle with illness and observing the compassion and dignity shown by nurses and CNAs who cared for him. Those early experiences shaped her belief that the greatest gift one can give another person is oneself.
Bates lives by a motto that reflects both her approach to life and her bond with fellow nurses:
“Gas pedal, no brakes. Life’s too short to hold back. Don’t wait for tomorrow, because tomorrow will not wait for you.”
It is a full-circle moment for Bates to stand before future nurses as a keynote speaker, mentor, and example of what perseverance can achieve. Having walked the same path only a few years prior, she understands the sacrifices, long hours, and resilience required to succeed. Her message to graduates is clear and unwavering:
“If someone tells you ‘you can’t,’ they’re showing you their limits—not yours.” — Dwayne Johnson
Candidates for graduation include:
Beatrice Cherono; Jessica Cole; Elizabeth Edwards; Gisela Espinal-Maldonado; Jessica Frazier; Marisa Lee Gloria; Charsy Johnson; Erin Kean; Victoria Lester; Kaylin Lowe; Sydney Lucio; Benita Ann Padron; Lauren Milohnick Peace; Anel Perez; Trish Ryan; Chelsea Swanson; Tanya Varner; Sarah Brianne Villines; Emily Wilson; Clari Ybarra; and Perla Fidelina Zuniga-Perez.
The Practical Nursing Graduation Ceremony/Pinning celebrates the dedication, perseverance, and achievements of students entering one of the most vital professions in healthcare.